Roztocze National Park The land of fir, beech and tarpan
Roztocze National Park
The Roztocze National Park is located in the Central Roztocze region. It is one of the Polish national parks with the highest precentage of forest area, distinguished by a large share of natural forests in relation to the area occupied. The geological structure, soil diversity and specific climate features determine a mosaic of varied habitats and the variety of plant communities and fauna. The most valuable forests in the Park include: fertile mountain beech forest, mixed fir forest, subcontinental wet-ground forest and coniferous swamps, which are also priority habitats of the Natura 2000 network. Upland mixed fir forests and compact fertile mountain beech forests have here the limits of their compact ranges in Poland. Nevertheless, beech and fir trees growing here reach impressive sizes, often up to 50 m in height and 4.5 m in circumference. The richness of the Park’s forests is supplemented by equally valuable alder carrs and peat bogs.
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The symbol of the Park is Polish Konik – a descendant of the wild forest horse tarpan – considered a unique natural and breeding relic. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries one of the first zoos in Poland was established in the forests belonging to the Zamoyski family entail. Tarpans– the last individuals caught in the forest in Lithuania - were also kept here for several years. However, for economic reasons, soon (around 1806) they were distributed to local peasants where they crossbred with domesticated horse breeds. The name Polish Konik was introduced in 1925 by Prof. Tadeusz Vetulani who conducted research on the restoration of primitive horses based on individuals from the vicinity of Biłgoraj.
The Konik was brought to the Roztocze National Park in 1982.Currently, the Park is running a programme for the protection of genetic resources of rare and endangered native animal breeds as part of the Preservation Breeding Centre. Polish Koniks stay in a separated and fenced reserve farm in the vicinity of Echo ponds and in a stable farm established in 1996 in Florianka. In recent years, horses have been additionally placed in several fenced areas of the Park where they help to maintain the existing non-forest habitats, mainly meadow vegetation, through grazing, preventing shrubs and trees from entering these areas due to secondary succession.
The Konik was brought to the Roztocze National Park in 1982.Currently, the Park is running a programme for the protection of genetic resources of rare and endangered native animal breeds as part of the Preservation Breeding Centre. Polish Koniks stay in a separated and fenced reserve farm in the vicinity of Echo ponds and in a stable farm established in 1996 in Florianka. In recent years, horses have been additionally placed in several fenced areas of the Park where they help to maintain the existing non-forest habitats, mainly meadow vegetation, through grazing, preventing shrubs and trees from entering these areas due to secondary succession.
What’s worth visiting?
Plażowa 2, 22-470 Zwierzyniec
+48 84 68 72 066
Monday - Friday: 7.15 a.m. - 3.15 p.m.
Plażowa 3, 22-470 Zwierzyniec
+48 84 68 72 286
1 April - 31 October: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(except for Mondays)
Admission to the exhibitions is paid
last entry to the permanent exhibition: 4 p.m.
1 November - 31 March: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(except for Sundays and Mondays)
last entry to the permanent exhibition: 2 p.m.
+48 84 68 72 286
1 April - 31 October: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(except for Mondays)
Admission to the exhibitions is paid
last entry to the permanent exhibition: 4 p.m.
1 November - 31 March: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(except for Sundays and Mondays)
last entry to the permanent exhibition: 2 p.m.
Plażowa 3a, 22-470 Zwierzyniec
+48 84 67 72 025
1 April - 31 October: 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
(ticket office open until 4 p.m.)
1 November - 31 March: 8.30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(ticket office open until 2.30 p.m.)
Biały Słup 16, 22-470 Zwierzyniec
+48 84 68 73 056
Monday - Friday: 7.15 a.m. - 3.15 p.m.
+48 84 68 73 056
Monday - Friday: 7.15 a.m. - 3.15 p.m.
At other times, after contacting the Tourist Information Centre, e-mail: informacja@roztoczanskipn.pl
Nature and education path on Bukowa Góra
The route of the path starts at the Education and Museum Centre of the RNP in Zwierzyniec. Through the Bukowa Góra strict protection area, it leads to the village of Sochy. In a short section, you discover extraordinary natural diversity, from pine and fir forest to fertile beech forest. As early as 1934, these areas were placed under protection through the creation of a small reserve. Its area was gradually enlarged, and after the end of the war it already covered 198 ha. The whole was incorporated into the Roztocze National Park, established in 1974, in which it is one of five strict protection areas. There are sets of educational boards along the path which allow you to explore on your own. On the route, you can take your time at seven stops with educational stands. They describe types of forest habitats and characteristic species of fungi, plants and animals which you can encounter along the way. The strict protection forest areas of this National Part look like they have been almost untrodden for many years. Due to the difference in elevation of about 80 metres, the path is classified as quite difficult, it requires making a steep climb up several hundred steps.. This path is paid. Entry for groups of more than 10 people is only possible with a guide. Entrance cards can be purchased at the Tourist Information Centre in the Education and Museum Centre.
Tourist trails:
Walking– 5 trails – around 369 km (approx. 29.3 km within the Park)
Biking– 7 trails – around 600 km (approx. 12 km within the Park)
Educational paths:
12 trails – approx. 20 km